As Wales gears up for a heatwave many people will be facing the scorching temperatures at the workplace or in school. While hybrid working is still in place for some, others will have to face the inevitable shift under high temperatures.
Friday, June 17, could see temperatures reach as high as 25°C in Cardiff and at least 21°C in many places across the country. Weatherman Derek Brockway said: “Temperatures look set to rise each day next week with hints of a brief hot spell later in the week! High pressure over the continent will draw a plume of warm air northwards into the UK. The heat peaking around Friday/Saturday then cooling down.”
That pressure from the continent that Derek refers to is a plume called ‘Ola de Calor’, which is currently causing a heatwave in Spain resulting in temperatures of around 38°C which could rise as high as 40°C. Read where and when it's going to be hottest this week here.
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With this in mind, what happens if the temperatures reach levels where it feels too hot to work or go to school? Unfortunately, there is no set temperature for work to stop.
However, there is some protection under The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992. This states that: "During working hours, the temperature in all workplaces inside buildings shall be reasonable."
This does set a 'lower limit' which sits at 16C normally, and 13C when the work involves severe physical tasks. However, there is no set upper limit for any type of work. However, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) - Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety - says temperature must be "reasonable".
On its website, they say: "employers must stick to health and safety at work law, including:
- "keeping the temperature at a comfortable level, sometimes known as thermal comfort
- "providing clean and fresh air"
They also list six factors which can cause discomfort in the workplace. These are:
Environmental factors:
- Air temperature
- Radiant temperature
- Air velocity
- Humidity
Personal factors:
- Clothing Insulation
- Metabolic heat
The HSE advises: " Employees should talk to their employer if the workplace temperature isn't comfortable."
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